Odyssey Of Survival

The journey had been long, and the sun had begun its descent, casting golden hues over the endless stretches of sand and scattered rock formations. The air, once thick with the day's heat, had cooled slightly, though the exhaustion of walking for hours without proper rest had begun to weigh on them. Nate walked a few paces behind Sera and User, his steps measured and steady.

User turned his head slightly, glancing back at Nate with a smirk. "What's wrong? Can't keep up?" His tone was laced with condescension, his amusement clear.

Nate met his gaze but didn't respond immediately. He merely smiled, unfazed by the attempted taunt. He wasn't the type to rise to petty provocations. Walking at a controlled pace wasn't a sign of weakness—it was a matter of energy conservation.

Sera, who had been listening to User's jabs for most of the journey, sighed in irritation. "Enough, User," she said, shaking her head. "This isn't a competition."

User scoffed, his expression twisting into annoyance. "If he keeps walking this slow, we'll get ourselves killed," he shot back. "Out here, moving at this pace is just asking for trouble."

Nate, still maintaining his calm demeanor, exhaled softly. "Walk at that pace," he said, nodding at User, "and the next thing that comes up, you're going to be too miserable to face it. You're burning most of your energy by trying to move at top speed. Who's chasing you?"

The words hit User like a slap. His smirk vanished, replaced by an irritated frown. He clenched his jaw, clearly fuming at being made to look foolish.

Without another word, Nate walked past him with an air of complete indifference. "I don't have all the time in the world," he added casually, "so don't stop me for stupid conversations again."

Sera watched the exchange unfold, her gaze shifting between the two men. She sighed again, but this time it was directed solely at User. She turned to him, her arms crossing over her chest. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, her voice sharp with frustration. "Why are you acting like killing Tati was Nate's fault? You heard what Ka said—they attacked him first. They tried to kill him. What would you have done if it were you?"

User's expression faltered, but he didn't say anything. He just stood there, his jaw tight as if he was trying to come up with an argument but couldn't find one.

Sera didn't wait for a response. She turned away and quickly walked after Nate, her footsteps determined.

User remained standing there for a moment, staring at the sand beneath his feet. He hated this. He hated the fact that Sera was defending Nate. He hated the fact that deep down, he knew she was right. And most of all, he hated that he couldn't do anything about it.

With a scowl, he finally followed after them, though the resentment in his eyes hadn't faded.

---

The sun had fully set by the time they decided to stop for the night. Though they weren't far from their destination, traveling in darkness was dangerous. According to Sera, the beasts prowled more aggressively at night, and wandering blind in unknown territory was a death sentence.

They found a small rocky corner near a few scattered trees, providing them with partial cover. Sera gathered some dried grass and twigs, arranging them into a small pile. She reached into a pouch at her waist, pulling out a small flintstone. With a few strikes, tiny sparks danced against the dried twigs until a small flame flickered to life.

"That should keep some of the smaller creatures away," she murmured, watching the fire grow. "But we'll still need to keep watch in shifts."

User, still quiet from their earlier exchange, finally spoke up. "I'll take the first watch," he muttered, settling himself on a rock a few feet away.

Nate, unbothered by the tension, simply nodded and sat down near the fire. He leaned against a large bag Sera had carried along, allowing his body to relax. His muscles ached slightly, but it wasn't anything unbearable. Sera sat a little farther from him, stretching out her legs before shifting onto her side.

Sleep didn't take long to claim them.

But while Nate and Sera rested, User sat in silence, his eyes fixed on only one person—Sera.

He didn't glance at Nate, didn't even acknowledge his presence. His expression was blank, but there was something unsettling about the way his gaze lingered on her, watching the steady rise and fall of her breath as she slept.

He had volunteered to take the first watch.

But in reality, he wasn't watching for danger.

He was watching her.

---

The first hints of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a faint golden glow over the landscape. The air was still cool, carrying the crisp scent of dry earth and distant vegetation. Nate sat on a rock near the small fire, his gaze fixed on the shifting hues of the sky. He had taken the last watch, and now that morning had arrived, it was time to move.

Turning toward the two sleeping figures, he stood and stretched, rolling his shoulders before nudging Sera's arm gently. "Wake up. It's time to go."

Sera stirred, blinking against the morning light as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Nearby, User grumbled in irritation, shifting slightly before groggily pulling himself upright. He shot Nate a brief glare but said nothing.

The fire had long since died down, leaving only smoldering embers and a faint trace of smoke. Without wasting time, they gathered their things—what little they had carried with them—and began their journey once more.

The trek lasted about two hours, the terrain shifting slightly as they neared their destination. Unlike the barren stretches of sand they had walked through before, the land here had a different energy to it. Small shrubs and patches of dry grass broke through the cracked soil, hinting at the presence of water nearby. The closer they got, the more the land felt alive.

And then, as they crested a small rise, the sight before them took Nate's breath away.

Kemet-Ra stood before them—a massive settlement.

Towering mudbrick walls surrounded the settlement, stretching high and wide, their surfaces hardened by the sun over countless years. Atop these walls, wooden watchtowers stood at intervals, with guards keeping vigilant watch over the horizon. The gates were enormous, built from thick wooden planks reinforced with bronze. From where they stood, Nate could see people moving in and out—traders, hunters, and laborers carrying goods on their backs.

Beyond the walls, the settlement stretched across a vast area, with large structures made of stone and mudbrick, their exteriors decorated with simple carvings. Smoke curled from various points within the settlement, likely from blacksmiths, cooks, and other workers starting their daily tasks. The roads leading inside were well-worn, trodden by carts and countless footsteps over the years.

In the distance, a river glimmered under the sunlight, winding its way past the settlement, its waters supplying life to the land. Lush patches of greenery lined its banks, a stark contrast to the arid surroundings. Small boats dotted the river, some carrying supplies while others seemed to be fishing.

Sera stopped abruptly in front of Nate, turning back to face him with a small smile. "We're here," she said simply, gesturing towards the settlement.

Nate remained silent for a moment, his eyes tracing the sheer scale of the place. He had expected something similar to the small camps he had encountered before—maybe a slightly larger version of them. But this… this was a civilization, an actual city compared to everything else he had seen.

He exhaled slowly, muttering under his breath, "Damn…"

Sera noticed his expression and chuckled. "You look surprised," she said, crossing her arms.
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Nate nodded slightly. "I didn't expect it to be this… big."

User, who had been silent for most of the morning, scoffed. "What, did you think we were living in holes like animals?"

Nate ignored the jab, still taking in the sight before him. The more he looked, the more curious he became. What kind of people lived here? What did they know about the beasts? And, most importantly, could this place truly provide the answers he was searching for?